Property Services Committee 16 June 1999 Irvine, 16 June 1999 - At a Meeting of the Property Services Committee of North Ayrshire Council at 2.00 p.m. Present Joseph McKinney, Stewart Dewar, John Bell, Thomas Barr, Jacqueline Browne, Gordon Clarkson, Ian Clarkson, David Gallagher, Jane Gorman, James Jennings, Elizabeth McLardy, Margaret Munn, Robert Rae, John Sillars and Richard Wilkinson. In Attendance B Devine, Chief Executive; T Orr, Corporate Director (Property Services); F Kelly, Head of Housing; J Paul, Head of Technical Services; N Buchan, Head of Roads; J Currie, Head of Cleansing, Grounds Maintenance and Transport; K Wilson, Head of Catering and Cleaning; A Bryson, Operations Manager - Works (Property Services); D Nibloe, Principal Officer (Finance); M Hewitt, Corporate Policy Officer and J Bannatyne, Administration Officer (Chief Executive s). Chair Mr McKinney in the Chair. Apologies for Absence Margaret McDougall, David O Neill and Samuel Taylor. 1. Urgent Item The Chair agreed that the following item be considered as a matter of urgency:- (a) Irvine: Garnock Court Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on the Council s response to a serious fire which occurred in the multi-storey block of flats at Garnock Court, Irvine on 11 June 1999 and which resulted in one fatality. Full details were given on the extent of the damage, including the action taken by the emergency services and council staff to deal with the fire itself and the evacuation of the residents in the affected block. Concern was expressed over newspaper reports on the incident which had cast doubts over the safety of the multi-storey blocks at Garnock Court Irvine. While an initial report by the Firemaster was inconclusive, there is no evidence to suggest that the flats are unsafe. Despite this, it is proposed that the decorative panels on the exterior of the building which had caught fire be replaced with a suitable non-combustible material. After discussion, the Committee agreed (a) to approve the replacement of the decorative panels on the five multi-storey blocks at Garnock Court, Irvine; and (b) to express its appreciation of the professionalism and dedication shown by the emergency services and council staff involved. 2. Fairlie: Traffic Regulation Order: The Causeway Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on a proposal to introduce waiting restrictions on The Causeway, Fairlie. Page 1
The Committee (a) agreed to approve the implementation of a Traffic Regulation Order introducing no waiting at any time restrictions on The Causeway at its junction with Main Road, Fairlie; and (b) noted the Scottish Office Development Department s intention to introduce waiting restrictions on the adjacent section of the A78 Trunk Road. 3. Dreghorn: Traffic Regulation Order: Station Brae Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on a proposal to abandon the proposed Traffic Restriction Order in relation to Station Brae, Dreghorn. The Committee agreed not to proceed with a proposed Traffic Regulation Order to remove restrictions on general vehicular use of Station Brae, Dreghorn. 4. ONE: The Single Work-Focused Gateway Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on a proposal to introduce a Pilot Scheme in relation to the Single Work - Focused Gateway initiative (recently re-named ONE ) within North Ayrshire. The initiative is a central part of the Government s programme to modernise welfare and to move to a more streamlined and efficient system in which there is a single point of access to welfare and in which everyone who has the potential to work is provided with help to find it. Within North Ayrshire the Employment Service Job Centre in Largs will participate in an initial Pilot Scheme over a period of three years, acting as a single contact point to provide information on work, welfare benefits and services. Noted. 5. Private Sector Housing Grants Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on grant applications for Private Sector Housing Grants. The Committee agreed (a) to approve the grants as detailed at Appendix PS 1; and (b) that the Corporate Director (Property Services) report to the next meeting on the processing of private sector housing grants. 6. Bogside Landfill Site: Waste Disposal Strategy Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on difficulties being experienced in connection with the Council s existing waste disposal strategy. The Council s Landfill Sites at Nethermains and Shewalton will shortly reach the end of their useful lives, while applications for the use of sites at Brodick and Bogside are still under consideration. Consequently, interim arrangements require to be put in place to secure alternative waste disposal facilities on a temporary basis. The Committee agreed that the Corporate Director (Property Services) (a) advertise for offers from interested parties to provide facilities for the transportation of wastes to the nearest approved disposal facility; and (b) report on the offers received and the costs which could be incurred. 7. Tenders for Vehicles 1998/99 and 1999/2000 Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on the replacement vehicles programme for 1998/99 and 1999/2000. Page 2
Noted. 8. Housing Benefit and Council Tax Review Board Submitted report by the Chief Executive on the proposed continuation of the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Review Board previously established by the Council. The Committee agreed (a) that the Review Board continue to review appeals in relation to both Housing Benefit and Council Tax; and (b) that the Review Board comprise the Chair and Vice-Chairs of the Property Services and Corporate Services Committees and Mr Robert Rae. 9. Closing Orders (a) Largs: 81 Nelson Street (Flat G/L) Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on the property at 81 Nelson Street (Flat G/L), Largs which is below the tolerable standard. The Committee agreed to approve the service of a Closing Order on 81 Nelson Street (G/L), Largs; Page 3
(b) Arran: Whiting Bay: Stable Cottage No. 2, Largie Beg Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on the property at Stable Cottage No 2, Largie Beg, Whiting Bay, Isle of Arran which is below the tolerable standard. The Committee agreed to approve the service of a Closing Order on Stable Cottage No 2, Largie Beg, Whiting Bay, Arran; and (c) Arran: Lamlash: 3A Murray Place Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on the property at 3A Murray Place, Lamlash, Isle of Arran which is below the tolerable standard. The Committee agreed (i) to approve the service of a Closing Order on 3A Murray Place, Lamlash, Arran; and (ii) that the Local Member be kept advised of progress. 10.Arran: Whiting Bay: Bourtree Bank, Knockankelly: Demolition Order Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on the condition of the detached cottage at Bourtree Bank, Knockankelly, Whiting Bay, Isle of Arran which is badly affected by dry rot and has extensive damage to its roof and structural timbers. The Committee agreed (a) to approve the service of a Demolition Order in terms of Section 115 of The Housing (Scotland) Act 1987; and (b) that the Local Member be kept advised of progress. The meeting ended at 3.00 p.m. Page 4
Property Services Committee 16/06/99 Appendix No PS1 Please contact Policy/Administration for this Appendix. Page 1